Glossary

Syllabi

Sample Exams

The free ISTQB sample exam and questions / answers for the Foundation Level, Agile Extension, Advanced Level and Expert Level. Key exams have been exclusively prepared by ASTQB for the U.S. exam quality standards.

What is software testing certification?

That’s why ISTQB software testing certification is used in more than 100 countries with 570,000+ software testing certificates issued, making it by far the #1 software testing certification in the world.

Important: American companies check with us, ASTQB, to see if you are certified, so you must register through ASTQB (this site, astqb.org) for ASTQB’s ISTQB exam!

Next, register for your exam through ASTQB (this site, astqb.org). Note: American companies check with us, ASTQB, to see if you are certified, so you must register through this site for ASTQB’s ISTQB exam!

Don’t let you career stop there. Look at the Software Testing Career Path to see where you should take your career. Hint: Mobile and Agile certifications are relatively easy next steps you can do right away.

It’s easy to build your career with new software testing skills – just follow the testing certification path below. ASTQB and ISTQB software testing certifications are designed to build your career by proving your software testing skills.Software Testing Career Path

Of course, great pricing isn’t the only reason testers choose ISTQB Certification from ASTQB, the U.S. country board for ISTQB. Testers love ASTQB-built tests because they are of the highest quality: each question is fair, with no misleading or easily mistaken wording. See a full list of reasons you take your ISTQB Certification exam from ASTQB. As an added bonus, taking your ISTQB Certification exam through ASTQB gives you exclusive access to the ASTQB Career Center, among other great certified tester benefits. Start today so you can pass your exam and show your boss your software testing certificate.

Note:
– Advanced Level certifications are considered either “Core” or “Specialist” certifications as noted above. Core certifications are more testing career focused, while specialist items are great skill building additions for anyone who does testing.
– If you wish to take an Advanced Level exam, you must first submit proof of CTFL certification and a resume and/or employer verification of 3 years experience to info@astqb.org. In the cover email, the examinee must state that the information contained in the resume or employer verification is accurate and complete to the best of his/her ability.

Expert Level (CTEL)

Note: If you wish to take any of the three Expert Level Test Manager exams, you must first submit proof of the appropriate CTAL-TM certification and a resume and/or employer verification of 5 years experience as a test manager to info@astqb.org. In the cover email, the examinee must state that the information contained in the resume or employer verification is accurate and complete to the best of his/her ability.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the ISTQB Certification Exams

Why are ASTQB-created exams better than other ISTQB exam options?

American companies check our ASTQB list of ISTQB certified testers. If you want to work for an American company as an employee or contractor, regardless of which country you live in, you want to be in the ASTQB database. American companies check with ASTQB, not ISTQB.

Creation of the ISTQB exams is the responsibility of the individual member country boards, so that they best reflect the specific country’s language, usage and terms. Unlike other English-language based ISTQB exams that you might stumble upon, ASTQB exams are created as original exams for those who speak English, not translated from some other language.

Our globally-recognized subject matter experts have worked very hard to create the ASTQB versions of the ISTQB exams, and we believe our exams are of a superior quality, with no trick questions. This makes for a better exam-taking experience for you.

In addition, don’t forget about all of ASTQB-only benefits such as the searchable directory of certified testers, the ASTQB Career Center, ASTQB webinars, ASTQB white papers, ASTQB local group sponsorships, and so many other benefits that are exclusive to those who have taken their exam via ASTQB.

Foundation: The Foundation Level exams consists of 40 multiple choice questions designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the entire Foundation syllabus. A grade of 65% or better must be attained in order to pass. The exam is a closed book exam. You have 60 minutes to finish.

ISTQB Agile Tester Extension – Foundation Level: The Agile Extension exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the Agile syllabus. A grade of 65% or better must be attained in order to pass. The exam is a closed book exam. You have 60 minutes to finish. Proof of CTFL certification is required in order to be granted access to register for the exam at a test center. An email to info@astqb.org containing the exact name on the CTFL certificate will accomplish this.

Advanced: Each of the Advanced Level exams is composed of multiple-choice questions that vary in points awarded by knowledge level. They correspond to the three different subject areas: “Technical Test Analyst,” “Test Analyst,” and “Test Manager.”

Advanced Level “Test Analyst” has 60 questions to be completed in three hours.

Advanced Level “Test Manager” has 65 questions to be completed in three hours.

Advanced Level “Technical Test Analyst” has 45 questions to be completed in two hours.

Advanced Level “Security Tester” has 45 questions to be completed in two hours.

All three areas must be passed with a grade of 65% or better in order to receive the full Advanced Level certification. You may sit for only one Advanced Level Exam at a time. See the webinar on the Advanced Level syllabi on the syllabi page for more information.

Expert: The Expert Level is quickly evolving and adding new modules. See the Expert Level Syllabi for a full listing of available or upcoming Expert Level certifications.Expert Level Test Management consists of three exams:

Expert Test Management – Strategic

Expert Test Management – Operational

Expert Test Management – Managing the Test Team

In order to achieve “CTEL-TM Full” (Certified Tester Expert Level – Test Management Full) all three exams must be passed with a 65% passing score. And one must first qualify by passing the the CTAL-TM (Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager) and submitting proof that you have five years of full-time experience in test management.

Each of the exams consists of multiple choice and essay questions, and examinees must choose to answer two of the three essay questions provided.

Scoring: Your score is determined as follows:

35 points possible for multiple choice questions

50 points possible for each of the two essay questions

135 total points

When you take any of the exams at a test center, you will not receive your score at the end, since your essays need to be graded by our team of experts. This can take three to four weeks.

No. The questions come from a pool of questions and are being combined differently so that the exam itself changes constantly while the level of difficulty remains comparable. New questions are constantly being developed by the ASTQB’s subject matter experts.

Yes, you may take the exam as many times as desired. Full payment is required for each attempt.

Are ASTQB’s ISTQB exams approved for student reimbursement for veterans?

Yes, effective July 1, 2013: “Approval to offer test for licensing and certification needed to enter, maintain or advance into employment in a civilian vocation or profession under Chapter 36 for the purposes of that chapter and Chapters 30, 32 and 35 of Title 38, U.S.C. and Chapter 1606 of Title 10, U.S.C. whichever is applicable, is granted” for ASTQB’s CTFL, CTAL-TA, CTAL-TM and CTAL-TTA exams at their applicable fees. ASTQB will be happy to provide proof of payment and exam results to any student veterans who need this paperwork to apply for the reimbursement. See the GI Bill page for more information. If you need to search the GI Bill system to see the certifications and ASTQB contact information for proof of the ISTQB certification eligibility, here are a few tips: Search the entire country (USA), choose “Certification” or “Both” as the category, and “tester” as the L&C name. Click on the certification name, then at the top of the page, the “Institution Profile” link.

Do I have to take a course in order to take the exam?

No, you don’t have to take a course in order to take the exam. That is one of the characteristics that makes ISTQB software tester certification unique: you may self study, study with colleagues, or take a course. That said, many people find the courses very helpful, particularly if they would like to prepare quickly, or are taking a higher level exam. See the list of ASTQB Accredited ISTQB Software Testing Training Providers.

Is there a software testing certification exam center in my part of the United States?

Yes, with hundreds of exam centers throughout the United States, there is almost certainly one near you. See the “Register Now” page for more information.

Can I take the exam via ASTQB even if I’m not in the United States? Is there an exam center in my country?

Yes, you can utilize Kryterion exam centers not only throughout the United States but also worldwide to take the ASTQB-based exams. See the “Register Now” page for more information. There is a Kryterion exam center in most countries, often throughout the country.

Do you have a document that explains everything about ISTQB Certification?

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities needing a reasonable accommodation to take the ISTQB Foundation or Advanced Level exam should provide written notice to Lois Kostroski, Executive Director, at American Software Testing Qualifications Board, 15619 Premiere Drive, Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33624 USA at least 14 days prior to the exam. Individuals requesting a reasonable accommodation may be required to provide certification of their disability or need for reasonable accommodation so that ASTQB can determine what accommodation, if any, will be provided.

What if American English is my second language? Can I get additional time to take the exam?

For a paper-based exam, you can apply to ASTQB at least a week in advance of your exam to receive extra time to take the exam, if you will be using a translation dictionary. For electronic exams at test centers, there is no mechanism to grant extra time.

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